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版图 (bǎn tú) — territory, domain (of a country); (figurative) scope, range (of influence, business, etc.)

Definition

Literally the 'printed maps' of a state's domain, now the standard word for a country's territory. Figuratively used for the scope of a business or field of activity.

noun
territorydomain (of a country)(figurative) scoperange (of influence, business, etc.)

Examples

  • 版图。
    Zhè ge guó jiā de bǎn tú fēi cháng liáo kuò.
    This country's territory is very vast.
  • ，版图。
    Lì shǐ shàng, zhè ge wáng cháo de bǎn tú céng jīng hěn dà.
    Historically, this dynasty's territory was once very large.
  • 版图。
    Gōng sī de bǎn tú yǐ jīng kuò zhǎn dào hǎi wài shì chǎng.
    The company's domain has expanded into overseas markets.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

版bǎnhousehold register
图túmap

版 refers to household registers and 图 to maps, together giving the land and people of a state.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
片片piàn
Sound part声符shēngfú
反
反fǎn版bǎn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

版 is formed by 片 and 反, with 片 contributing the sense and 反 the sound.

Open 版 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 圖; 图 is its simplified writing.

  • 囗囗wéiwalled city
  • 啚啚bǐ

The traditional form 圖 pairs 囗, a walled city, with 啚, an early form meaning remote areas or territory. The simplified 图 is a later abbreviation.

Open 图 →
Appears in
Geography & LandformsGovernment & Politics

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